US4651400A - Multiple fuel rod gripper - Google Patents

Multiple fuel rod gripper Download PDF

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Publication number
US4651400A
US4651400A US06/564,053 US56405383A US4651400A US 4651400 A US4651400 A US 4651400A US 56405383 A US56405383 A US 56405383A US 4651400 A US4651400 A US 4651400A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
fuel rod
gripping members
gripping
rods
tapered
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US06/564,053
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English (en)
Inventor
Edward P. Shields
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westinghouse Electric Co LLC
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Assigned to WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION reassignment WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: SHIELDS, EDWARD P.
Priority to US06/564,053 priority Critical patent/US4651400A/en
Priority to ZA849330A priority patent/ZA849330B/xx
Priority to DE8484114384T priority patent/DE3476938D1/de
Priority to EP84114384A priority patent/EP0146808B1/en
Priority to CA000469805A priority patent/CA1224281A/en
Priority to ES538841A priority patent/ES8702070A1/es
Priority to JP59267630A priority patent/JPS60157087A/ja
Priority to KR1019840008211A priority patent/KR920004112B1/ko
Publication of US4651400A publication Critical patent/US4651400A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CO. LLC reassignment WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CO. LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CBS CORPORATION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
    • G21C19/02—Details of handling arrangements
    • G21C19/10—Lifting devices or pulling devices adapted for co-operation with fuel elements or with control elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
    • G21C19/19—Reactor parts specifically adapted to facilitate handling, e.g. to facilitate charging or discharging of fuel elements
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S294/00—Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
    • Y10S294/906—Atomic fuel handler
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49815—Disassembling
    • Y10T29/49822—Disassembling by applying force
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/531—Nuclear device

Definitions

  • This invention concerns an apparatus and process for gripping and withdrawing the fuel rods out of a spent nuclear fuel assembly.
  • Gripping devices for removing the fuel rods from spent nuclear fuel assemblies are known in the prior art. The purpose of these devices is to reduce the storage space needed to store spent fuel rod assemblies in the storage pool of a nuclear power plant.
  • the fuel rods are vertically oriented and rectangularly spaced from one another by spacing grids.
  • Such gripping devices grip and slidably withdraw the rectangularly spaced fuel rods out of the grids of their respective fuel rod assemblies so that they may be closely packed together in the on-site storage pool, thereby substantially reducing the storage space requirements for the spent assembly.
  • the fuel rods are grippingly engaged by a plurality of cylindrical collets which are spring-loaded into the tapered holes of a locking plate.
  • the holes are tapered in both directions so that they flare out both at the bottom and the top of the locking plate.
  • the cylindrical collets are inserted into the top tapered portions of these holes.
  • the bottom tapered portion of these holes facilitates the insertion of the top end of a fuel rod into the hole.
  • the gripper is lowered far enough into an array of spent fuel rods so that the ends of the rods extend completely through the tapered holes and into the hollow interior of the cylindrical collets.
  • this gripper to conveniently confirm whether or not each of the collets has in fact grippingly engaged its respective fuel rod.
  • This design deficiency can result in substantial delays in the operation of the device; when the gripper fails to grip all of the rods, it may have to be completely re-lowered and re-engaged with the removing rods. Further, such gripping failure necessitates a time-consuming "off-normal" operating mode in which the spent rods are transferred to an intermediate location before being deposited in their final location in the storage pool. Still another deficiency in the design of this gripper is the difficulty of replacing broken or damaged collets.
  • each collet makes it difficult, if not impossible, to replace a single broken collet without completely disassembling this gripper.
  • the gripping action of each of the collets is much like a "Chinese handcuff" (i.e., the gripping force becomes greater in proportion to the resistance it encounters in lifting the fuel rod)
  • the collets of this prior art gripper can inadvertently crush or tear the ends of their respective fuel rods if the rods become bound in the grids of the fuel rod assembly.
  • breaking of the integrity of the rods can release radioactive uranium dioxide directly into the water of the core area of the reactor, thereby contaminating it.
  • a need exists for a multiple fuel rod gripper which is capable of applying a uniform gripping force onto each one of the fuel rods of a spent fuel rod assembly, and which includes a means for confirming whether or not each of its collets has grippingly engaged its respective rods. Additionally, it would be desirable if such a gripper applied a limited maximum gripping force onto the ends of the fuel rods so that the rods will not become crushed or broken in the event they become stuck in the grids of the fuel rod assembly. Finally, it would be desirable if the collets could be individually replaced without the necessity of disassembling the entire gripper device.
  • the invention is an apparatus and process for gripping an array of rods which may be the fuel rods of a spent nuclear fuel assembly.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of gripping members registrable with the rod array, each of which is capable of applying a substantially identical gripping force onto its respective rod.
  • the invention may also include a means for confirming whether each of the gripping members has grippingly engaged its respective rod.
  • the invention may further include a plate having a plurality of tapered holes registrable with the fuel rods, and the plurality of gripping members may include tapered portions individually nested within the tapered holes of the plate.
  • Each of the gripping members may also include a hollow portion which terminates in an open end for receiving a fuel rod.
  • the invention may further include a closing means for causing the hollow portions of each of the gripping means to apply a substantially identical gripping force on the ends of the fuel rods by individually withdrawing each of the tapered portions of the gripping members through its respective tapered hole.
  • the means for confirming whether each of the gripping members has grippingly engaged its respective rod may include an electric switch operatively associated with each of the gripping members.
  • Each of the switches may be connected to an indicator means, such as an electric indicator light, for indicating when its associated gripping member has withdrawn without a fuel rod present in its hollow portion.
  • the closing means may include a plurality of hydraulic plungers, each of which is connected to one of the gripping members, for withdrawing each of the gripping members through its respective tapered hole.
  • Each of these hydraulic plungers may be operatively associated with a linear ratchet for securing the plunger, and hence its associated gripping member, in a gripping position.
  • the invention may further include a release plate for releasing each of the linear ratchets associated with the plunger rods.
  • each of the plunger rods may actuate an electric switch connected to an electric indicator light when it is retracted without a rod grippingly engaged in its respective gripping member.
  • the electric indicator lights may be arranged in a display panel for conveniently indicating which gripping members are not engaged to a rod.
  • the invention may also include a process for removing fuel rods from a fuel rod assembly, comprising the steps of registering an array of gripping members over the array of rods, and applying a substantially identical gripping force onto the ends of each of the rods incident to removing the rods from the fuel rod assembly.
  • the process may further include the step of confirming whether or not each of the gripping members is engaged to a fuel rod.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel rod assembly, illustrating some of the principal components thereof in partial cross-section;
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the fuel rod assembly of FIG. 1, with the gripper apparatus of the invention engaged thereto;
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the gripper apparatus
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the gripper apparatus
  • FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of this preferred embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of one of the individual gripping members and hydraulic plungers of the invention.
  • the apparatus of the invention is a fuel rod gripper 15 for gripping and withdrawing the fuel rods from a spent fuel assembly 1.
  • fuel rod assemblies 1 generally include an array of fuel rods 3 which are rectangularly spaced from one another by grids 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d.
  • the fuel rods 3 are slidably disposed through bores in the grids 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, and are vertically retained between a top nozzle 7 and a bottom nozzle 9.
  • the top nozzle 7 and bottom nozzle 9 are connected to each other by way of an array of guide tubes 10.
  • the guide tubes 10 are hollow metallic tubes through which control rods 11 may be inserted. Tubes 10 are preferably attached to the top nozzle 7, the bottom nozzle 9, and each of the grids 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d in order to provide a support structure for the fuel rods 3.
  • Suspension assembly 17 is basically an arm and cradle arrangement which supports the gripper 15 from its bottom-most component, locking plate 90. A specific description of how the gripper 15 may be manipulated and used is set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 268,225, filed May 29, 1981, and assigned to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
  • the gripper 15 of the invention generally includes a tie plate 19, as well as a switch plate 30, a release plate 40, and a cylinder block assembly 46.
  • Gripper 15 further includes a locking plate 90 which has a plurality of tapered holes through which a plurality of gripping members or collets 65 are nested.
  • Six hexagonally-disposed connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e and 25f connect the tie plate 19 and the locking plate 90 to the cylinder block assembly 46.
  • the release plate 40 and switch plate 30 are connected to the locking plate 90 by hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b (not shown), 42c and 42d and 32a, 32b (not shown), 32c and 32d, respectively.
  • connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e and 25f are mounted onto the tie plate 19 by nuts 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, 27e and 27f, respectively.
  • nuts 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, 27e and 27f are preferably flattened for ease in handling.
  • each of the plates 19, 30, 40 and 90, the cylinder block assembly 46, and the connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e and 25f are preferably formed from #304 stainless steel in order to prevent the corrosion which would otherwise occur from the constant exposure to boron salts.
  • all bolts and washers are likewise formed from stainless steel, and all male threads are hard chrome-plated to prevent galling.
  • Tie plate 19 is attached to the cylinder block assembly 46 by connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e and 25f.
  • the upper portions of the connecting rods provide a guide means for switch plate 30 and release plate 40, and coact with tie plate 19 to lend rigidity to the overall structure of the gripper 15.
  • the bottom portions of the connecting rods attach locking plate 90 to the cylinder block assembly 46.
  • the connecting rods are preferably arranged in a configuration which corresponds to the arrangement of the guide tubes 10 of the fuel assembly 1. Such an arrangement insures that the threaded ends of the lower portion of the connecting rods will not register with any of the tapered holes 92 in locking plate 90.
  • the gripper further includes a switch plate 30 mounted under and parallel to the tie plate 19.
  • Switch plate 30 is movable relative to the tie plate 19 by means of hydraulic cylinders 32a, 32b (not shown), 32c and 32d, as well as hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b, (not shown), 42c, and 42d.
  • Switch plate 30 preferably includes six bores (not shown) through which connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e and 25f may freely slide so that they do not impede relative movement between the switch plate 30 and the tie plate 19.
  • stop plate 30 includes a plurality of electric proximity switches 80 arrayed in the same configuration as the plunger rods 54 extending out of the cylinder block assembly 46.
  • Switch plate 30 performs two important functions. First, the switches 80 mounted therein change state whenever the end of a plunger rod 54 abuts the plate, as occurs when the gripping member or collet 65 associated with a particular plunger 50 fails to grip a fuel rod 3. As will be discussed in detail later, each of the proximity switches 80 is connected to an electric indicator lamp 84 mounted on a display panel in order to provide a positive indication as to which collets 65 failed to grippingly engage their respective fuel rods 3. Secondly, switch plate 30 coacts with release plate 40 in order to release the rods 3 from the gripper 15 by pushing the plunger rod 54 back into their initial positions, which in turn repositions the collets 65 back into their initial, non-gripping position.
  • Gripper 15 further includes a release plate 40 for releasing the linear ratchets 56.1 associated with each of the plunger rods 54.
  • release plate 40 is parallel to and under tie plate 19, and includes a plurality of bores (not shown) through which connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d and 25f may freely slide.
  • Release plate 40 is vertically movable relative to the cylinder block assembly 48 by means of hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b (not shown), 42c and 42d.
  • Release plate 40 further includes a plurality of bores 41 through which the plunger rods 54 of the plungers 50 may freely slide.
  • the bores 41 of the release plate 40 function to release the linear ratchets 56.1 associated with each of the plungers 50 when pressurized hydraulic fluid is admitted into the bottom portions of the hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b (not shown), 42c and 42d.
  • the admission of such pressurized fluid causes these cylinders to retract and to push release plate 40 into the bellville washers 57 of the linear ratchets 56.1, thereby flattening them.
  • check valve 38 will divert a flow of hydraulic fluid to cylinders 32a, 32b (not shown), 32c, and 32d which will cause the switch plate 30 to push down on the plunger rods 54 and restore them to their initial positon.
  • the cylinder block assembly 46 includes a top half 47a and a bottom half 47b which are sealingly engaged around their edges by a square "O" ring 59.
  • Top half 47a of the assembly 46 includes a plurality of cylinder bores 48 which house a plurality of plunger cylinders 52 which reciprocate between retainer plate 49 and bronze inserts 51.
  • the retainer plate 49 of the top half 47a of the assembly 46 includes a plurality of bores 49.1 through which the plunger rods 54 of the plunger 50 extend. Because the plungers 50 are only single-action hydraulic plungers, no fluid seal is required between the retainer plate bores 49.1 and the plunger rod 54.
  • a flat fluid cavity 58 is defined between the top half 47a and bottom half 47b of the cylinder block assembly 46 which fluidly communicates with each of the cylinder bores 48.
  • a source of pressurized, hydraulic fluid is connected to fluid cavity 58 at threaded inlet 60.
  • the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid (which is pure, de-ionized water in the preferred embodiment) flows into the threaded inlet 60 through hydraulic conduit 61 via solenoid operated valve 62.
  • valve 62 is a three-way valve which is capable of controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid both into and out of the cylinder block assembly 46.
  • the admission of pressurized, hydraulic fluid into the flat fluid cavity 58 via valve 62 will, of course, exert fluid pressure on the bottom faces of the plunger pistons 52 and cause them to retract.
  • the plungers 50 of the gripper 15 each include a plunger piston 52, a pair of plunger piston seals 53a, 53b, a plunger rod 54, and a plunger stem 55. With the exception of the piston seals 53a, 53b, all other parts of the plungers 50 are preferably integrally formed from a single piece of stainless steel bar stock.
  • the plunger rod 54 of each of the plungers 50 includes a linear ratchet mechanism 56.1 formed from a plurality of ratchet ribs 56 which snap into the inner lips of the bellville washers 57 circumscribing each of the plunger rods 54.
  • the ratchet mechanisms 56.1 secure the collets 65 connected to the plungers 50 in a gripping position after the open ends 70 of the collets 65 have been snugged around the ends of the fuel rods 3.
  • Each of the ends of the plunger rods 54 includes an end cap 54.1 of ferrous material for actuating a proximity switch 80 located in switch plate 30 whenever the plunger rod 54 abuts the switch plate 30, which occurs whenever its respective collet 65 is withdrawn through locking plate 90 without engaging a fuel rod 3.
  • the stems 55 of the plungers 50 extend down from each of the plunger pistons 52 through the bore 64 of its respective bronze insert 51. It should be noted that each of the stems 55 terminate in a screw thread and that each of the bronze inserts 51 includes a pair of "O" rings 63a, 63b for forming a fluid seal between the stem 55 and the insert 51.
  • the collets 65 of the invention generally include a base portion 66, and a cylindrically shaped, hollow portion 68 which terminates in an open end or mouth 70.
  • the walls 67 of the lower portion 68 are tapered as shown so that the lower portion 68 assumes a frusto-conical shape.
  • the bore portion 66 includes a female thread which screws onto the male thread located at the end of plunger stem 55. Such a "screw-type" connection between the collet 65 and the plunger stem 55 greatly facilitates the replacement of single collets should replacement become necessary.
  • the tapered walls 69 of the lower portion 68 of the collet 65 includes a pair of longitudinal slots 62 which extend from the edge of the mouth 70 to about halfway along the longitudinal axis of the collet 65, as shown.
  • each of the collets 65 is formed from a solid piece of lathed and drilled out 17-4 PH stainless steel so the tapered walls 59 will be sufficiently resilient to expand and contract through their respective tapered hole in locking plate 90 many times without metal fatigue.
  • locking plate 90 includes a plurality of tapered holes 92 in which the tapered walls 69 of each of the collets 65 are nested.
  • the interior surfaces of each of these tapered holes 92 is hard chrome-plated in order to prevent galling between the walls 69 of the collets 65 and the tapered holes 92. Additionally, each of these holes 92 is preferably flaired at the same 6° angle as the collets 65.
  • Locking plate 90 is rigidly attached to the bottom half 47b of the cylinder block assembly by the bottom portions of connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e and 25f as previously described.
  • the guide tubes 10 of a spent fuel rod assembly 1 are cut below the tops of the fuel rods 3 by means of a conventional ID cutter.
  • the guide tubes 10 are hollow, and the cutting operation is normally performed by inserting the ID cutter inside the tubes 10.
  • the top nozzle 7 of the fuel rod assembly 1 is removed.
  • a comb or temporary grid (not shown) is placed on the upper portion of the fuel rods 3 which spaces them in precise rectangular alignment.
  • the fuel rod gripper 15 is lowered over the top ends of the fuel rods 3 by suspension assembly 17, which may also include a comb for facilitating proper alignment of the rods 3.
  • suspension assembly 17 may also include a comb for facilitating proper alignment of the rods 3.
  • a gripper guide frame (not shown) may be used in conjunction with the fuel rod gripper 15, as may the apparatus disclosed in previously mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 268,225, filed May 29, 1981, assigned to Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
  • Each of the plungers 50 consequently retracts, thereby withdrawing the tapered walls 69 of its attached collet 65 through its respective tapered hole 92 in the locking plate 90.
  • the hollow portion 68 of each of the collets 65 consequently contracts around the top end of its respective fuel rod 3 in gripping engagement.
  • the bellville washers 57 of each of the linear ratchets 56.1 snaps into the ratchet grooves 56 of its respective plunger rod 54 so that it secures the plunger rod 54 in its most retracted position. Normally, the most extreme retracted position that any of the plunger rods 54 assumes will still leave a gap between the switch plate 30 and the end cap 54.1 of ferrous material attached to each of the rods 54.
  • the plunger 50 connected to the collet 65 will retract until its respective plunger rod 54 abuts the switch plate 30 in the vicinity of a proximity switch 82.
  • the state of proximity switch 82 will then change, thereby conducting an electric current to an electric indicator light 84, which may be an LED.
  • an electric indicator light 84 which may be an LED.
  • all of the electric indicator lights 84 connected to the proximity switches 80 are mounted on a display panel which is arranged in the same geometrical configuration as their associated collets 65. With the electric indicator lights 84 so arranged, the operation of the gripper 15 could determine at a glance exactly which collets 65 had not grippingly engaged a fuel rod 3.
  • the hydraulic pressure in the cylinder block assembly 46 is first relieved.
  • hydraulic fluid is introduced into the lower portions of the hydraulic cylinders 42a, 42b (not shown), 42c and 42d as indicated in FIG. 4.
  • the introduction of such fluid pushes the hydraulic pistons 43a, 43b (not shown), 43c and 43d up into their respective cylinders 42a, 42b (not shown), 42c and 42d, which in turn pulls the release plate 40 into the bellville washers 57 of the linear ratchet mechanisms 56.1 associated with each of the plungers 50.
  • the bellville washers are thereby flattened, which disengages them from the ratchet grooves 56 of their associated plunger rods 54.
  • check valve 38 conducts pressurized hydraulic fluid to the lower portion of switch plate cylinders 32 a, 32b (not shown), 32c and 32d.
  • the rods 36a, 36b (not shown), 36c and 36d of these cylinders then retract, thereby pulling the switch plate 30 into the plunger rods 54, which in turn restores each of the plungers 50 back to its initial, unretracted position. Consequently, each of the collets 65 is extended back into its initial position, which in turn causes its hollow portion to resiliently expand and to disengage its respective fuel rod 3. Accordingly, the fuel rods 3 are deposited into the rod storage cannister.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Jigs For Machine Tools (AREA)
US06/564,053 1983-12-21 1983-12-21 Multiple fuel rod gripper Expired - Lifetime US4651400A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/564,053 US4651400A (en) 1983-12-21 1983-12-21 Multiple fuel rod gripper
ZA849330A ZA849330B (en) 1983-12-21 1984-11-29 Multiple fuel rod gripper
DE8484114384T DE3476938D1 (en) 1983-12-21 1984-11-29 Multiple fuel rod gripper
EP84114384A EP0146808B1 (en) 1983-12-21 1984-11-29 Multiple fuel rod gripper
CA000469805A CA1224281A (en) 1983-12-21 1984-12-11 Multiple fuel rod gripper
ES538841A ES8702070A1 (es) 1983-12-21 1984-12-19 Aparato para sujetar simultaneamente una pluralidad de varillas dispuestas en un conjunto
JP59267630A JPS60157087A (ja) 1983-12-21 1984-12-20 複数の燃料棒の同時把持方法及び装置
KR1019840008211A KR920004112B1 (ko) 1983-12-21 1984-12-21 핵연료봉 파지기 및 파지방법

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/564,053 US4651400A (en) 1983-12-21 1983-12-21 Multiple fuel rod gripper

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4651400A true US4651400A (en) 1987-03-24

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/564,053 Expired - Lifetime US4651400A (en) 1983-12-21 1983-12-21 Multiple fuel rod gripper

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US4651400A (es)
EP (1) EP0146808B1 (es)
JP (1) JPS60157087A (es)
KR (1) KR920004112B1 (es)
CA (1) CA1224281A (es)
DE (1) DE3476938D1 (es)
ES (1) ES8702070A1 (es)
ZA (1) ZA849330B (es)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4772446A (en) * 1986-11-19 1988-09-20 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Gripper assembly for inserting and removing burnable absorber rods and thimble plugs in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly
US4834934A (en) * 1988-02-04 1989-05-30 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Thimble grip fuel assembly handling tool
US4858306A (en) * 1987-04-08 1989-08-22 Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Wiederaufarbeitung Von Kernbrennstoffen Mbh Apparatus for pulling a plurality of fuel rods from a fuel element
US4970858A (en) * 1988-03-30 1990-11-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Air-fuel ratio feedback system having improved activation determination for air-fuel ratio sensor
US5000906A (en) * 1987-06-18 1991-03-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp. System and method for removing and consolidating the fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly
US5291651A (en) * 1992-02-28 1994-03-08 Combustion Engineering, Inc. O.D. gripper
US5755473A (en) * 1996-08-09 1998-05-26 Xerox Corporation Substrate carrier system
US20110314664A1 (en) * 2010-06-29 2011-12-29 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Pressure-loss adjusting-member installation tool

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2591021B1 (fr) * 1985-12-02 1988-02-26 Cogema Dispositif de prehension d'un faisceau de crayons d'un assemblage de combustible nucleaire
DE3544700C1 (en) * 1985-12-18 1987-05-21 Kempchen & Co Gmbh Multiple gripper for manipulating nuclear reactor fuel elements
FR2593108A1 (fr) * 1986-01-22 1987-07-24 Transnucleaire Dispositif de manutention multipinces avec limiteur individuel d'effort.
US4747997A (en) * 1987-03-30 1988-05-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Nuclear fuel rod loader for pulling fuel rods into a fuel assembly skeleton
DE102005013983B3 (de) * 2005-02-04 2006-07-27 Framatome Anp Gmbh Halteelement zum Greifen und Transportieren eines Einbauteiles eines Kernreaktors
CN115831411B (zh) * 2022-12-28 2024-05-31 中国原子能科学研究院 乏燃料组件抓取装置

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US4192715A (en) * 1977-08-23 1980-03-11 Batjukov Vladimir I Fuel assembly handling system of nuclear reactor
FR2533065A1 (fr) * 1982-09-15 1984-03-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Dispositif de prehension pour retirer simultanement une multiplicite de barres de combustible d'un assemblage combustible nucleaire

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US2638373A (en) * 1948-01-24 1953-05-12 Norman W Alford Deep well fishing tool
US3068035A (en) * 1959-02-18 1962-12-11 Commissariat Energie Atomique Unloading device, particularly for fuel elements of nuclear reactors
US3278186A (en) * 1960-08-18 1966-10-11 Brunswick Corp Pin deck with resilient pad pin detecting structure
US3604746A (en) * 1968-11-20 1971-09-14 Combustion Eng Nuclear reactor control element gripper and drive apparatus
US3904048A (en) * 1968-12-02 1975-09-09 Asea Ab Device for refueling a nuclear reactor having a core comprising a plurality of fuel assemblies
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FR2533065A1 (fr) * 1982-09-15 1984-03-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Dispositif de prehension pour retirer simultanement une multiplicite de barres de combustible d'un assemblage combustible nucleaire

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US4772446A (en) * 1986-11-19 1988-09-20 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Gripper assembly for inserting and removing burnable absorber rods and thimble plugs in a nuclear reactor fuel assembly
US4858306A (en) * 1987-04-08 1989-08-22 Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Wiederaufarbeitung Von Kernbrennstoffen Mbh Apparatus for pulling a plurality of fuel rods from a fuel element
US5000906A (en) * 1987-06-18 1991-03-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp. System and method for removing and consolidating the fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly
US4834934A (en) * 1988-02-04 1989-05-30 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Thimble grip fuel assembly handling tool
US4970858A (en) * 1988-03-30 1990-11-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Air-fuel ratio feedback system having improved activation determination for air-fuel ratio sensor
US5291651A (en) * 1992-02-28 1994-03-08 Combustion Engineering, Inc. O.D. gripper
US5755473A (en) * 1996-08-09 1998-05-26 Xerox Corporation Substrate carrier system
US20110314664A1 (en) * 2010-06-29 2011-12-29 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Pressure-loss adjusting-member installation tool
US8640327B2 (en) * 2010-06-29 2014-02-04 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Pressure-loss adjusting-member installation tool

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR850004860A (ko) 1985-07-27
ES8702070A1 (es) 1986-12-01
ZA849330B (en) 1985-08-28
EP0146808B1 (en) 1989-03-01
EP0146808A2 (en) 1985-07-03
CA1224281A (en) 1987-07-14
ES538841A0 (es) 1986-12-01
KR920004112B1 (ko) 1992-05-25
JPS60157087A (ja) 1985-08-17
EP0146808A3 (en) 1985-10-30
DE3476938D1 (en) 1989-04-06

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